Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Cypress Creek Renewables received an Energy Storage North America (ESNA) 2018 Innovation Award for leadership in energy storage and positive impact on the energy storage industry, displayed in their collaboration on a series of solar-plus-storage projects.

In March, Lockheed Martin and Cypress Creek Renewables commissioned 12 MWh of GridStar Lithium energy storage systems for 12 solar-plus-storage projects. The solar-plus-storage system is custom-designed to provide clean electricity to communities served by Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) in southeastern North Carolina.

The unique portfolio of solar-plus-storage projects ensures energy delivery to Brunswick EMC during its peak periods. The GridStar energy storage systems store power from the solar installations and discharge it when needed most, providing reliable, renewable power.

These 12 solar-plus-storage projects represent the first set of battery storage projects developed, constructed, financed and commissioned by Cypress Creek. Cypress Creek acquired the projects from United Renewable Energy, the initial developer of the projects.

“We are thrilled to have our first set of battery storage projects recognized with this award,” said Brian Knowles, director of energy storage, Cypress Creek Renewables. “Projects like these provide real value to our utility customers by delivering energy exactly when it’s needed.”

Energy Storage North America, the most influential gathering of policy, technology and market leaders in energy storage, celebrated the winners of its 2018 Innovation Awards during a reception at the Pasadena Convention Center on Nov. 7. Winners were recognized for their impact on the energy storage ecosystem, services supplied to customers and the grid, unique technology solutions, financing, or partnerships. The Lockheed Martin – Cypress Creek Renewables project was named a winner in the “Front-of-the-Meter” category by ESNA, decided with input from public voting.

“It’s an honor to receive this Innovation Award from ESNA,” said Roger Flanagan, director for Lockheed Martin Energy. “We are committed to evolving energy storage by developing new technologies to optimize renewable energy use, manage localized power demand, and improve reliability of the electric grid for generations to come. Innovation is a part of our everyday process.”

Lockheed Martin’s GridStar Lithium energy storage systems, like the one used in this installation, are compact, easy to install, and scalable for 100 kW to multi-MW projects. GridStar system architecture consists of modular, purpose-built energy storage units that contain batteries, local controls software and all required balance-of-system components. The systems are certified to UL 9540 standards, a key certification for product safety for energy storage systems and equipment.